Cross Season is HERE!

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Nothing to See Here.....But a Win is a Win!

As we are into the final month of preparation before Xterra Worlds (did I mention that was Oct 29th?) it's all about training and making sure I don't get sick.....primarily making sure that I don't get sick.  Unfortunately work may play a part in that as it looks like I might have 6 different flights before actually landing on the Valley Isle of Maui.

But I have been doing well with training and continued with the ethos of this season....consistency! Nothing too big or demanding, just solid weeks back to back to back and so on.  I did jump into some races the last few weeks and these included:

1. Wolf Bouncer XC Race.....my first Pro/Cat 1 XC MTB race after upgrading late this season. It was short at just an hour but the key was to get a good race pace session in and it didn't dissappoint.....60mins at threshold and a 4th place finish!

With @xterraoffroad World's in 5 weeks it's time to sharpen the form! Jumped into the Wolfbouncer XC Pro/Cat 1 race this morning for some race pace work & came away with 4th. . . . . . . . . #xterra #mtbracing #pactimo #parvillacycles #wolfbouncer #ciclismo #guforit

A post shared by Iain Banks (@iainbanks1) on Sep 23, 2017 at 12:48pm PDT

2. Tri for the Chesapeake....was the next day and is a local sprint triathlon that Parvilla supports. It was actually my first "road" triathlon since 2014 and I went for the road bike as I don't have a tri bike at the moment. It worked out well as I felt good in the swim (without a wetsuit), nailed the bike and the trail was 5 miles so was able to take the over win by quite some way (about 15mins). Another good race pace session.

More race pace work this morning at the Tri for the Chesapeake. First road triathlon since 2014 but a trail run to finish. Had a blast and was pleased to take the overall win..... 📷: @thegingergrinder #roadtomaui . . . . . . #xterramaui #pactimo #parvillcycles #salming #swimbikerun #triathlon #IFB #nononsenserunning #maui

A post shared by Iain Banks (@iainbanks1) on Sep 24, 2017 at 1:23pm PDT

3. Hyattsville Cx....this was this past weekend and I raced the 1,2,3 race as it was the only time I could manage. It was a baptism of fire for the first cross race of the season and only time I have been on my cross bike all year. I was thinking that it might have been better to race my MTB. It was fun though and I can't wait to get back to 'cross after Maui.

First time on the 'cross bike today since last season & raced the 123 at Hyattsville! Got a good kicking but a solid & fun workout. Probably need to plan a warm-up, pre-ride and actually ride my CX bike in advance next time. But first eyes on the @xterraoffroad Worlds prize. #wasntlastthough #ontheleadlap 📷: @dchammerette. #shareyourkask

A post shared by Iain Banks (@iainbanks1) on Oct 1, 2017 at 6:06pm PDT

Now to hone the fitness for October 29th......

You Need to go to a Cross Race.....

Up until this past Sunday at the Hyattsville CX, I had never actually spectated at a cross race. I had raced when back in the UK, yep....cold, muddy and disgusting! So we decided to have an easy recovery ride out to Hyattsville from the usual ABRT meeting place in Davidsonville and cheer on some of the ABRT guys and gals racing.

Fortunately Stu's wife drove to the race with Sarah and so after a 2-hour ride, we could chill out, drink a few beers and then grab a lift home....nice! The weather couldn't have been any better, the beer was cold (and cheap!) and ABRT rider Christine Wehlburg went and won the women's race. A great day out for ABRT and a great day for cross spectating.....after the cool event that was put on at Hyattsville, I think we will have more "recovery" rides out to cross races this season (only as long as we can grab a lift home from someone).

The next ride will probably be out to the cross at Rosaryville State Park on Nov 8th....any takers? Davidsonville P&R at 9am.........